The morning ray penetrated through the cracks in the curtains. The figure on the bed yawned and stretched.
Ding.
"Mission failed: Emotional connection at 0%. Penalty incoming…"
Prince Liang Chen sighed tiredly. It was no surprise, not when the Green-Eyed Devil had left him all alone. His memory of the previous night was vague, but then he was certain nothing had happened; he felt too good, with no pain around his lower body.
"Maybe it's for the better," Prince Liang Chen murmured as he walked towards the bath.
"Would you like to try your new ability?" a charming voice chimed.
Liang Chen shook his head in denial. "What's the point when I can't see his…" he added, and Xiayue's head hung low.
Never had she accompanied such a stubborn time traveler. Usually, the Heaven-blessed ones were eager to possess and earn new abilities, but Liang Chen was different. Even under the influence of an aphrodisiac, he wouldn't submit to Ji Mingyuan. Maybe it would be better if she kept her distance.
Liang Chen was soon done with his bath, and when he stepped back into the room, the cute system had long gone. He sighed and picked out a dress, something he had not done in a long time.
"My prince."
A gentle knock echoed. "It's time to depart," the voice announced.
Liang Chen's body stiffened, his eyes widened, and he rushed out, his white robe flying in the waves of the wind behind him and his unpinned hair a dazzling sight.
Outside, before the Phoenix Pavilion, was Yelan's party, all ready and set to leave.
"I... I can't leave, not yet." Liang Chen stammered, and everyone frowned.
"And why not? You are married to the Prince of Yelan, and your duty is to follow your husband," Minister Shen spat bitterly.
Liang Chen glanced around, but there was no familiar face.
"Get in."
The cold voice of Ji Mingyuan rang louder than it should, but Liang Chen wasn't going to be commanded. He refused to bend to their will. Instead of mounting the carriage, he turned and rushed towards the opposite direction, his dress flying in the wind, his hair displaying its volume.
"You…" the ministers cursed.
But Ji Mingyuan said nothing.
Prince Liang Chen ran into the throne room. His father was in the middle of a council meeting. The guards' attempt to stop him was fruitless.
"Father..." Liang Chen called breathlessly, gasping, trying hard to catch his breath.
"Aren't you supposed to be on your way to Yelan?" the Emperor spat coldly.
Liang Chen was taken aback. A pang ripped within him.
"I... I..." he stammered on, unable to get his words out.
Deep down, he had expected his parents, but then, not even the servants were there to bid him goodbye.
"You should leave. You are now one of them."
One of them? Liang Chen did not feel like he belonged with the enemy, but he nodded. He turned to leave, but his legs wouldn't carry him further.
"And Mother?" he demanded, his eyes fixed on his father, searching for emotions he knew would never surface.
"The Queen doesn't need to see you off. Now do the task you've started and bring peace to your land."
Prince Liang Chen opened his mouth but closed it a second later. What was there to say? That he wished they would come see him off, hug him, and tell him he wasn't alone on this dangerous mission?
Deep down, he blamed himself for expecting too much. This was the man he knew, the father who raised him. Even in the past, he was the same; everyone knew him for his logic, fairness, and justice, but also for his neglect toward his child.
Never had he felt the love of parents, and here he was begging yet in another life, only to be turned away like a commoner.
Every step forward felt like needles buried deep into his heart. The ministers' cold and pitiful stares never left him, not until his back was lost from their sight.
Prince Liang Chen walked through the familiar hallway. The servants bowed, but he paid no attention. His heart was in chaos, wounds of the past torn open.
At the sight of Yelan's party, he approached, sighed, and mounted the carriage, but he did not miss the ministers' disgusted look and nasty stares from the guards.
"Let's go," Prince Ji Mingyuan ordered.
Liang Chen sat as far as he could from his husband, his eyes staying on the road as he watched the people go about their day unaware of his departure... or maybe they were but did not care, just like his parents.
A silent tear slipped down his cheek, but Liang Chen was quick to wipe it away. Not quick enough, though, for Ji Mingyuan noticed but said nothing.
"We should rest in the Midlands and continue by the break of dawn," Ji Mingyuan ordered.
"Okay, my prince," a voice answered from outside.
Liang Chen watched his land, his home, and everything about him blur into the distance. He did not know how long, but soon his body felt limp.
Ji Mingyuan leaned closer. "Liang Chen!" he called softly, but the breathing of the other man was slow and steady.
Without a second thought, he pulled him into his arms, into a more comfortable position. Liang Chen's lips slightly parted; a soft moan escaped.
"Cute," Ji Mingyuan chuckled. The man in his arms looked too calm compared to his not-sleeping self.
Ji Mingyuan smiled, pushing a few loose strands off his face. The memories of the previous night flashed. He had not intended to go all the way.
Teasing Liang Chen was more fun; he enjoyed his body's reactions, the way his ears and cheeks reddened at his touch, and the contrast in their body temperatures was just perfect.
But the ministers had acted on their own, drugging Liang Chen's wine.
Ji Mingyuan's fist clenched as he remembered his helpless cries, how desperately his body wanted him, yet his voice whispered the latter.
"I should have protected you," Ji Mingyuan whispered, brushing his hair tenderly. Liang Chen yawned, his eyes slowly opened, but they came into contact with his worst nightmare. Before Ji Mingyuan could utter a word, Lian Chen pushed himself off his body.
"Don't touch me," he said, adjusting his dress. Ji Mingyuan's face darkened. Did he hate him that much that even sleeping in his arms burned?
"I can touch you all I want… You belong to me," Ji Mingyuan retorted. Liang Chen bit down on his lips.
"Never!" Liang Chen cursed inwardly. The rest of the ride was in silence, but soon it was time to camp for the night. Ji Mingyuan climbed down, but his bride never followed. The tenth was ready, but still there was no sign of Liang Chen.
Ji Mingyuan marched back to the carriage and furiously yanked the veil up. "Won't you climb down?" he spat angrily.
"And why should I? I am comfortable here," Liang Chen retorted. This was becoming too much to handle. Ji Mingyuan massaged his temple, frustration seeping through his bones.
"Liang Chen, you can't stay in the carriage overnight," Ji Mingyuan whispered, his voice surprisingly calm. "And why not?" Laing shot back.
"I don't trust you."
Ji Mingyuan was exhausted; all he wanted was to rest his weary bones, but the stubborn creature before him was making that an impossible achievement.
"Come on, don't be stubborn," Ji Mingyuan murmured.
"Stubborn?" Liang Chen chuckled bitterly. "Stubbornness is when you insist on marrying me, so don't turn the tables on me."
Ji Mingyuan stared at the man before him; a strange emotion flashed through his eyes, but it was gone before Liang Chen could notice.
"Do…do you hate me that much?" Ji Mingyuan suddenly asked. "Hate…" Liang Chen laughed coldly. The air was thick; one could almost taste the dripping malice hanging between the both of them.
"I despise you…" Liang Chen stated with remorse.
"If I were you, I would stop insisting. I can't trust myself not to bury a dagger in your heart in your sleep," he added.